STATE SCHOOL MINISTRY
State School Ministry
State School Ministry
“The Giddings State School is
a high security prison facility
that houses students from the
age of thirteen thru the age
of twenty-one. There are many
different types of people in the
State School, some from good
homes, some not; some from
nice neighborhoods, some not.
But one thing is common; they
need to hear the Good News of
Jesus Christ.”
-Arthur Beuhur
Kenmar Ministry
KENMAR MINISTRY
By Andrea Simancas, Summer Ministry Team
T
o be honest with you, the ?rst time I found out
that I was going to be part of the community
ministry group that went and hung out with
mentally disabled adults, it was not the best news I
had ever gotten. My heart sank, not because I do not
like mentally disabled people, but for the failed experiences I had in the past with working and volunteering with them. But God, the One that knows all, was
already calling me to be patient and to allow this opportunity to change my mind on the whole ordeal.
When I arrived to my group meeting to discuss
what we were planning on doing when we would visit
Kenmar, I sat there with an apathetic attitude deciphering what I was going to do later on that night.
Little did I know what the result would be when I would
step foot at Kenmar. We planned with crazy suggestions and off the subject conversation, but when we
prayed there was this burden in my heart to listen to
words of my fellow Christians. “Lord let us show the
adults at Kenmar your beauty.” “Let us be witnesses
to them and talk through us so we can share your
word.” “Let them understand the message we have
to bring.” Yes, now there was a spark in me, let us
go and teach the good word. I mean after all that is
why God placed us on this earth, and so what if they
are “special” or “different” than the typical social individuals living in America today. God gives us all the
understanding to love Him.
So ?nally, Friday rolled around and we set out to our
destination. On the way there we said similar prayers
to the ones we had lifted up to God at the meeting,
and again the spark came into my heart to witness to
them, but yet when the seven of us climbed out of the
car we still expected the unexpected. Just then, out
of the blue came a cheerful young man with a grin as
big as the moon strolling over to us, and without even
a word from our mouths he came up and gave us all
hugs. Suddenly every barrier I had put up just in case
these people did not respond to our ministry dropped
from my mind. This man, which we later found out is
Steven, took us into the Kenmar center and without
any conversation, the seven of us split and sat at different tables with the numerous adults scattered at
each table.
It was amazing to share interests in games, music,
sports, television shows, and so much more. There
was an endless amount of conversation with the people I sat with. I became instant friends with this outspoken and lively man named Eddie. He gave me insight into his life, such as his working schedule, the
shows he watches at night, and the special date of going to church everyday Sunday. In fact, he asked me if
I knew God! I sat there in awe listening to these adults
tell me about Jesus. They ?lled my heart with joy to see
them teach me. This was God’s plan all along, for them
to teach me. I had forgotten the importance and simplicity of God’s mercy, grace, and love for us. When we
prayed before we came, there was the reminder for us
to teach them, but it was apparent to me they had so
much more to offer than I could ever give to them.
I will never forget that visit, and it is a constant reminder for not only me but for others, that it does not
take a rocket scientist to know God loves us and that
He sent Jesus down to rid us of our sins. The Kenmar
people are like family. With every visit there is a new
story to share or an important event coming, the fun
never stops. God was there the whole time, and this
experience has made me humble in understanding
God’s simplicity.
Learn how you can support the ministries
of Camp Tejas. Turn to page 33 and 34
or log onto www.camptejas.org
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